A new location of Grazia Italian Kitchen is now open in Katy, giving residents a taste of owner and culinary director Adrian Hembree’s Italy-meets-Texas brand of cooking. The restaurant opened April 19 in Villagio Town Center, 22764 Westheimer Parkway and retains the rustic elegance of the existing Pearland and Clearlake locations.

Heavier mains include thick, smoked, double French bone-in pork chops with black truffle pancetta risotto; filet mignon and jumbo gulf shrimp served with mushroom demi glace and award-winning smoked beef short ribs a variation of which won awards at the 2016 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Uncorked! Best Bites Competition.

The beverage program highlights more than 100 bottles of wine along with eight house-infused Svedka vodkas. Cocktails made with the infused vodka include the Giovanna with Costa Rican pineapple infused tangerine vodka and the watermelon, strawberry and ginger-infused Valentina.

Grazia Italian Kitchen is now open in Katy with a menu of Italian-meets-Texas fare like the Mike & Jen with housemade pasta. Photo by Ellie Sharp

A dark palette anchors the rustic-elegant space offset by warm barn wood planks, stained concrete floors and hammered copper accents on both the beverage and pizza bars. Black runner lighting is a nod towards industrial design. Two private rooms—one with audio/visual capabilities—extend seating. Though he hasn’t shared details, Hembree promises to reveal an additional onsite project still in the works. (Could it be similar to the speakeasy at the Pearland location?)

As with its other locations, the Grazia Italian Kitchen in Katy will continue to support local organizations, ranging from schools and athletic programs to law enforcement and military collaborations.

For now, the Katy location is dinner-only for the first few weeks, with brunch and lunch to follow. The menu is the same as the previous locations, but Hembree says there may be new dishes added strictly for the Katy restaurant based on customer feedback.